A plan for new flying vehicles and drones includes hopes for the first flying taxi to take off in...
The first flying taxi could take off in the UK by 2026 and become a regular sight in our skies two years later, if a government announcement goes to plan.
The Future of Flight action plan, developed with the aerospace industry, also says drones and other flying vehicles will become more autonomous.
It predicts that the first pilotless flying taxi will take off in 2030.But experts say hurdles such as infrastructure and public acceptance need to be overcome first.
There are a number of different models, but most flying taxis look like a futuristic helicopter and can usually carry about five people.
PA. NHS delivery drones used in a trial in 2022.The biggest obstacles to getting flying taxis into the air are infrastructure and public perception, says Craig Roberts, head of drones, at consultancy firm PwC.Last year, he co-authored a report on the topic, in collaboration with the government, on the viability of the technology.
The government's report gives an example of flying from Liverpool to Leeds in 26 minutes.
The PwC report assumes a scenario where it takes 10 minutes from arrival at a flying taxi rank to taking off - currently challenging, given the length of time it takes to get through a conventional airport.
The company behind it, Urban Air Port, sees the future of air taxis as additional to, rather than a replacement of, current modes of transport.
She calls the suggestion of flying taxis becoming a regular sight by 2028 an "Ambitious timeline" given the need to build places for them to take off and land.
You may be able to book a flying taxi within three years.